The Gustavus men’s basketball team closed out 2004 in good fashion with a 68-57 win at Pomona-Pitzer in Los Angeles, California. Doug Espenson led the Gusties with 20 points. Gustavus is now 4-4 overall on the season.
The Gusties got off to a strong start in the game shooting 52.2 percent from the field in the first half. The hot shooting helped the Gusties claim a 13-point 34-21 lead at the intermission.
Pomona-Pitzer came charging back in the second half and cut the lead to three points midway through the second half, but Gustavus countered with a 5-0 run that pushed the lead back to eight. Pomona-Pitzer did not get closer than eight the rest of the game.
Gustavus, which shot 59.5 percent from the field (25-42), was led by Doug Espenson who scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Espenson made 7-of-11 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Others scoring in double figures for the Gusties were Phil Sowden with 17, Andrew Olson with 14 and Adam TeBrake with 11.
The Gusties wrapped up their trip to Southern California with a 1-1 record after falling to Whittier College 77-73 on Thursday evening.
Gustavus will re-start MIAC play on Monday night, January 3 at home against Carleton at 7:30 pm.